Well drilling apparatus



June 23, 1931. R. D. DoDDs 1,811,002

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 24, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l June 23, 1931.

R. D. DODDS Filed Feb. 24, 1928 WELL DRILLING' APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 23, 1931. R D DODDS 1,811,002

WELL. DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 24. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 g, I N VEN TOR.

BY f n /Q mq TTORNEYS.

Patented June 23, 1931 `man REDUS D.,DODDS, OF PAMPA, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES C. DODDS, 0F

` HOUSTON, TEXASv WELL Dalmine arrsitar'us Application led February 2i,`1928. 4Serial No. 256,539.

vThis invention relates tol new and useful improvements in a well drilling apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for drilling wells by the cable'tool process.

In drilling well-s, particularly oil wells, by either the rotary process, or the cable tool process, as at the present time practised, formation is frequently encountered, in a bore, which the drilling apparatusv being used isnot adapted to drill through.

In drilling a hole when formation of a wet or caving nature is encountered ordinary cable tools are not suitable for drilling through such formation, and when hard formation is encountered rotary drilling niachinery is not well adapted for drilling such hard formation, and inasmuch as both forma tions usually exist in the majority of wells it is very diiiicult to drill a well using either the cable tool process or the rotary process alone,

as these processes are at the present time praet-ised. One of the main objectsof this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described embodying the combination of cable tools with the ordinary rotary drill stem, or pipe, and wherein provision is' made for forcing fluid through the bit to wash away the heavyl formation, or gumbo, as well as the cuttings, from the bit, as in rotary drilling, and at the same time drilling either hard or soft formations,'as encountered and preventing the walls of the bore from caving by the use of hydrostatic pressure, or by plastering the walls of the bore by forcing into said walls mud laden fluid, as is commonly done in rotary drilling.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described wherein provision is made for the use of air, gas, or similar Huid to blow the cuttings away from around the drill bit, and out of the hole, in case it is advantageous to 'drill the hole dry,'as in cavernous formations, or wherever the use of water would ycause the hole to cave or is notdesirable or practical, or where it may be desirable to clean out a well, that has been producing, by the use of gas or air.

Another 'object of the invention is to proo vide an apparatus of the character described of such construct-ion thata change may be readily made, by the operator, from the cable tool process to the rotary process, and vice versa. p 4

A further feature ofthe invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described wliereby the cable tool process of drilling may be efiiciently prosecuted where water or other fluid is encountered, the apparatu-sbeing of such construction as to keep the mud and cuttings away from the bit at all times, thus permitting the bit to work more ei'iciently and eliminating the necessity of hailing the cuttings from thebore.

With the above and other objectsin view this invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- 1n:-

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show respectively, upper, intermediate and bottom sections respectively, shown in order from above downwardly,

showing the preferred form of the complete apparatus, the bottom vsection Abeing/ shown partly in side elevationand the 4other sections being shown in vertical sectional views, and the operating cable being shown connected to the drilling tool.

Figure 4 shows a bottom end view of the apparatus.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 respectively; show vertical sectional view ofthe upper, intermediate and lower sections, taken in order from top to bottom of another form of the apparatus.

Figure 8 shows a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 shows a transverse sectional view' taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 2.

Figure 10 shows a transverse sectional, view taken on the line l-.lO of Figure 2.

Figure v 1 1 shows a cross sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 5. Figure 12 shows across sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 1f Figure 13 shows a cross sectional view tekenen the line 13-13 0f Fig. 6, and

Figuge 14shows an inside .view of a cable engaging slip employed.

iuid course 6 extending axially therethrough down nearV the cutting edge 7, of the bit and there separates into the'branches 8, 8 which terminate in the vertical channels 9, 9 on opposite sides of the bit. The cuttin edge 7 of the bit is longer than the outside lameter of the stem or p1pe 1 to which the bit is attached. The ba tee en extended Shank `1o which are up within the lower end of the stem 1, extending through the shoe 4. There is a suitable -packing' rin 11 within the shoe and around the shan 10 which is retained in place by a surrounding annular channel 12 which is seated in said shoe and in whose inside channel the packing 11 is retained. Around the upper end of the shank 10 there is another packing ring 13 which is seated on the retainer ring 14 carried by said 'shank'. The packings 11 and 13 prevent air, gas, or other fluid used from passingbetween the bit shank and drill stem and force said fiuid t'o pass through the fluid course 6 in the bit. A solid stem 15 is connected to the upper end of the shank 10. This stern is formed of sec- A tions connected by the joint 16. Beneath said joint the stem 15 has a relatively thick surrounding collar 17 screwed thereon, and provided with vertical channels 18 and the lower end of the stem 15 has the channels 19 which converge from the outside of said stem 15 and unite in the Huid course 6.

Around the lower section of the stem 15 there is a sleeve 20, which is spaced from said stem 15 and has an external undercut Hangs 21, at its upper end. Around this sleeve 20 there is an annular yieldable cushioning member 23 whose lower end is seated in an inside annular seat 24, of the inwardly thick ened collar 25, which connects sections of the drill stem 1. The flange 21 seats on the upper endof the member 23. A cushioning device is thus provided. When the drill dro s, the collar 17 mayv strike a ainst the to of t e sleeve 2() but the jar wi be broken y said cushioning device. This will only occur in case the bore deepened faster than the pipe 1 is lowered. v. j

Attached to theiupper end of the stem 15 there is a tubnlarsupport 26, whose upper end is internally threaded and screwed into said upper end there is a tubular guide 27 having the internal annular downwardly facing shoulder 28. Above said shoulder the guide is outwardly flared, as at 29 and leading through this flared portion yand through the sup ort 26 are the fluid channels 30. Beneath t e shoulder 28 the guide is liared or tapered downwardly at 31.

Located within the lower end of the su port 26, and connected to the upper end of t 1e stem 15 by means of the stud boltv 32 vthere is a cylindrical anchor block 33 having an integral upwardly extending guide tube 34 whose upper end is outwardly flared and has a bearing ring 35 screwed therein. There is a lengthwise bore 36 extending from the upper end of the tube 34 and continuing on down through the block 33 and whose lower end is reduced forming a seat 37 for the conical shaped head 38 carried by the lower end of the rod 39. The upper end of this rod is connected to the solid head 40, hereinafter described, and a coil spring 41 surrounds said rod 39 and is interposed between the bearing rin 35 and the head 40. The lower end of sai rod'39 works through the bearing ring 35 and through the bore 36. The anchor block 33 has the oppositely disposed, aligned, vertical slots 42, 42 in which are located. the radially movable blades 43, 43. These blades havethe transverse bearings 44, 44 provided to receive the bearing pins 45, 45 whose ends are anchored to the anchor block 33. vThe lower ends of the blades are beveled inwardly as at 46, 46 and interposed between said lower endsis the u'sh spring 47. The u` e per'ends of said lades have the inward y projecting, downwardlyv facing shoulders 48 48. t Y

lAbove the anchor block "33 and surrounding and spaced from the tube 34 there is a clamp sleeve 49 whoseupper end is outwardly flared and secured to opposite sides of this clamp sleeveare the ke s 50, 50, which work in the vertical slots, or eyways, 51, 51, in the tubular support 26.

There are the elongated slips 52, arcuate in cross sectional contour and preferably 'three in number. These slips are arran ed around and are seated in the arcuate note es 53 of the headv 40, and have the side notches 54, 54, which form the opposing u per and lower shoulders 55 and 56, said note es 54 receiving the vertical ribsr57 on the outside of the head 40, between the slots 53, and the shoulders 551,56, engagin lower ends, respectively, o the adjacent ribs 57 to prevent the endwise movement of they the upper and.

f When the apparatus is in position to operate the upper ends of the slips 52 abut the inside, annular, downwardly facing shoulder the conventional swiveling rope socket 67.

In assembling the apparatus, preparatory to letting it down into the bore the slips 52 are first fitted into the slots53 of the head 40 and the ring nut 58 is then screwed onto said head over said slips and secured in vplace by the set screw 59. The expander ring 61 is then secured within the lower ends of said slips. The clamp sleeve 49'is then fitted over the tube 34 the ring nut 35 is fitted onto the rod 39 and screwed into the upper endof the tube 34. The spring 41 is then fitted over the rod 39 and the upper end of this rod is then screwed into the head 40. This assembly is then inserted, from the bottom, up into the tubular support 26. During this operation the blades 43 can be moved inwardly to permit them to enter the bottoni of the tubular support 26 and when they move up into registry `with the opposing vertical slots 68, 68 cut through the support 26 they will be forced outwardly through said slots by the pressure of the spring 47. The keys 50, 5() can then be inserted through -thekeyways 51, 51 and into the dovetailed grooves, 69, 69 of the clamp sleeve 49 and braded, or welded, therein or secured therein in any desirable manner. The stud bolt 32 may then be attached to the anchor block and the upper end of the stem 15 then screwed up into the lower end of the tubular support 40 and onto said stud bolt 32.

\ The sleeve 20y is fitted over the stern 15 or in the forms shown in Figures 5 and 9, is mounted on stem 15 in longitudinal half sections which inay be welded together in making the assembly, and the cushioning member is then fitted aroundit and the lower parts of the drill stem and associated parts, including the packings are then Iassembled in an obvious manner. y

The drill is suspended in the drill stem 1 by the external collar 17 of said drill stem, restinoon the upper end of the sleeve 20, with te afin ba 5 below the Shoe 4.

The shaft 64 has not yet been lowered into the drill stem so the upper ends of the slips 52 are held within the guide 27 by the pressure of the spring 41.

The apparatus, assembled as above described may now be let down into the well bore.. When the drill 5 is on' the bottom of the bore the cable 66 may be attached to the shaft 64 'and said shaft let down through the drill stem 1 until its head 65 contacts against the upper ends of the slips 52. The Weight of the shaft 64 will force said slips downwardly, compressing the spring 41, and forcing the upper ends of said slips out of the guide 27 and the head 65 willspread the upper ends of said slips and pass beneaththe slip shoulders 63. The spring 41 will now operate to carry the slips 52 back up into the guide 27 which will force said upper ends together so as to carry the shoulders 63 into interlocking relation with the head 65 when the rod 64 is elevated through the cable 66. The cable 66 is thus locked to the drilling tool ready for drillingvoperations. The cable is now alternately lifted and released, by the conventional mechanism at the ground surface provided for the purpose and the bit 5 is correspondingly lifted and dropped against the bottom of the bore. Meanwhile water may be forced dow-n through' the drill stem l and the various fluid channels described,by a pump at the ground surface, to flush away the cuttings from the bottom of the bore, or air or gas may be forced down,

by suitable apparatus for thefpurpose, to

carrvaway said cuttings in case it is desired to drill the-well dry.

The apparatus should be so located in the bore that the bit 5 will operate against the shock absorber arrangement being provided to absorb the shocks in case the apparatus is so located in the bore that said collar 17 might contact against said absorber. i l

When it is desired ,to detach the line 66,v

from the drill, the drill 5 is set onbottom and the line 66 is slacked to permit the shaft 64 to move downwardly until its lower end rests on the head 40 and forces said head 40 and the Slips 52 downwardly. rThe rod 39 is forced down between the blades 43, 43 with its head 38 engaged under theV shoulders 48, of said blades and with the spring 41 under compression, the pipe l meanwhile being ele, vated so that the inwardly thickened cou-` vbottom of the vbore without the collar 17 striklng l.the upper end of the sleeve 20, the1 the clamp sleeve 49 upwardly over the lower ends of said slips 52 thus contracting said ends'` and spreading the upper ends of the slips.- The upward'movement of the clamp sleeve is stopped by the flange 21 coming into contact with the lower end of the collar 17. The rod 64 is thus'released from the slips 52 and the cable 66, with said rod attached may be withdrawn from the drill stem 1, as y' will sometimes bel necessary. When drilling is to be resumed the cable may be remanner, that is, Athe stem which is lowered and the coupling 2 releases the keys 50 permitting the clamp sleeve 49 to descend and release the lower ends of the dogs 52. As the coupling 2 further descends 1t will release the blades 43 permitting them to spread and the. shoulders 48 will krelease the head 38 and thereupon the-spring 41 will operate through the rod 39 to move the head 4() and its appendants upwardly into the position shown in Figure 1. The shaft 64 may then be lowered and its head 65 will then enga e the upper ends of the dogs 52 and force tiie dogs downwardly and their upper ends-out.- wardly until the head 65 passes between the upper end of said dogs and beneath the shoulders 63 thereof. The spring 41 will thereupon force the head 40 and dogs 52 upwardly and the upper ends of said dogs will be contracted by the upwardly tapering guide 27 causing the shoulders 63 to contract into position to engage the head 65 uponupward movement of the shaft 64.

A slightly modified form of the device is shown in Figures 5 to 7 inclusive. In this form the slips 52 are inverted and are anchored to the head in the same manner as illustrated and described in connection with Figures 1 and 2. In this form the ring nut 58 has the radial keys 71, 71 which work in the vertical slots 72, 7 2,l of the tubular support 26. The upper end of the tubular support 26', is connected to the lower end of the the cable 66, being connected thereto by the conventional swiveling rope socket 67.

' Within the upper end of the tubular support 26 there is a weight 73 having an elongatedde ending neck 74 whose lower 'end rests on tllfe head 40 andisheld centered thereon by the upstanding projection 7 5 which enters the socket 76 in the lower end of said neck. The weight works through an annular guide 77 secured in the support 26. The expander ring 61 in this form is located within, and attached to the upper end of said slips 52' as shown in Figure 6. lVithin the lower end of the su port 26 is secured the' tubular guide v27 aving the internal u "wardly facing shoulder'28'. Beneath said s oulder the guide is downwardlyplared, as at 29. Above the shoulder 28 the guide is ,tlared, or tapered, upwardly, as at 31'.

80, formed inte ral ssp There is a hanger rod 78 whose upper end has an enlarged head 79 and whose "lower end works through the upwardly extended sleeve y with and extending upwardly from t e ni ple .81. The coupling 82connects the nipp e 81 to the stem 15'.

Within the coupling ,82 there is a nut 83 secured on the lower end of the rod 78 and a coil sprin 84 surrounds the rod 78 and is interpose between the nut 83 and the mple 81.v l

qWhile the apparatus is operation the for operation. shaft 64 which, in turn is suspended from head 79 is engaged b the inside shoulders 63' of the. sli s 52 an the lower ends of said slips are in a utting relation with the shoulder 28', said slips being held in engagement with the head 79 by means of the guide 27'. As the cable 66 is operated the drilling tool 5 will be alternately lifted from and dropped against the bottom of the bore in the usual way.

In this form of the device the drilling tool 5 and the stem 15 to which it is connected, and them-operating parts of the drill stem 1 are substantially similar to the form shown `in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the integral shoulwith the drill stem and said stem is then let down into the bore, without the cable 66 and its appendants, which includes the tubular support 26' and the parts connected thereto. Said cable and its ,said appendants, may then be lowered until the head 7 9 contacts with and stops the downward movement of the slips 52' and the guide sleeve 27' will move on downwardly releasing the lower ends of said slips and permitting said ends to'spread and pass down over said head 79 and the shoulders 63' to engage under said head when the cable is pulled upwardly. The cable is thus' connected to the drilling tool When it is desired to detach the cable 66, in this form of the apparatus, the cable is released to permit the tubular support 26 to move downwardly and the inwardly thickcned coupling 2 will engage the keys 71 and thus hold the head 40' and the slips 52'Y against downward movement, and the fiared lower end of the guide 77 will engage over and the upper ends of the slips 52 and force said ends 'inwardly and their lower ends outwardly so that the shoulders 68 will release the head 79 and the cable with its appendants may be then withdrawn 'from thestem l.

While I have shown what I now consider the preferred forms of ythe invention it is obvious that mechanical chan es may be made therein and equivalents sustituted for the parts shown and I hereby reserve the right to make such alterations, substitutions and modications as may be found desirable so long as I do not depart from the rinciple of the invention as comprehende within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a tubular dril stem, of a reci rocable drilling tool at the lower end of Vt e stem, an operating cable extending from the ground .surface down through the stem and connected to said tool saV and -means operable by the stem and effective stem, of a reciprocable drilling tool at the lower end of the stem, an operat-ing cable extending from the ground surface down through the stem and connected to said'tool, said tool having a liuid course therethrough, a cushioning device interposed between said tool and stem, and packing disposed around the tool and between said tool and the drill stem.

3. The combination with a tubular stem, of a reciprocable cable drilling tool at the lower end of the stem, a flexible line extending down through said stem, from its upper end, releasable interlocking means carried by the lower end of saidline and the upper end of said tool, respectively through which the line may be connected to or detached from said tool,

4. The combination with a tubular stem, of a reciprocable cable drilling tool at the lower end of the stem, a exible line extending down through said stem, from its upper end, releasable interlocking means carried by the lower end of said line and the upper end of said tool, respectively through which the line may be connected to or' detached from said tool while the apparatus is` in the well4 bore. Y

5. The combination with a tubular stem, of a reciprocable cable drilling tool at the lower end of the stem, a flexible line extending down through said stem, from its upper end, releas-l able interlocking means carried by the lower end of said line and the upper end of said tool, respectively through which the line may be connected to or detached from .said tool, said interlocking means permitting the relative rotation of the interlockedparts.

6. The combination witha tubular stem, of a reciprocable cable drilling tool at the lower end of the stern, a flexible line extending down through said stem, from its upper end, releasable interlocking means carried by the lower end of said line and the upper end of said tool, respectively through which the line may be connected to or detached from said tool, said tool having a fluid channel extending therethrough, through which fluid may be forced, from said stem, to the bottom of the bore. p

7. The combination with a tubular stem, of a reciprocable cable drilling tool at the lower end of the stem, a flexible line extending down through said stem, from its upperend,

Y releasable interlocking means carried by the lower end of said lineand the upper end'of said tool, respectively through which the line may be connected to or detachedv from said tool, said tool having .a fluid channel extend- 'ing therethrough, through which Huid may be forced, from said stem, to the bottom of thebore, and means between the tool and stem to prevent the passage of fluid downwardly between said tool and. stem.

8. The combination with a tubular drill stem of a cable drilling tool at the lower end to effect the connection of said liney to said tool.

9. The combination with a tubular drill stem of a cable drillingtool at the lower end of the stem, a flexible operating line extending down through the stem from the upper end thereof, said drilling tool and line being provided, one with a shaft having an terlocking means adapted to engage said head enlarged head, and the other with releasable y interlocking means adapted to engage said head to effect the connection of said line to said tool, means for disengaging said inter- Tlocking means from said head.

10. The combination with a tubularpdrill stem of'a cable drilling tool at the lower end of the stem, a flexible operating line extendingdown through the stem from the upper end thereof, said drilling tool and line being provided, one with a shaft having an enlarged head, and the other with releasable interlocking means adapted to engage said head to effect the connection of said line to said tool, meansfor disengaging said interlocking means from said headand means for holding said interlocking means in's'aid disengaged relation to permit the detachment of said line from said tOOl. l

11. rlhe combination with a tubular stem, of a cable type drilling tool at the lower end of the stem, said tool and stem being provided with opposing abutments spaced to permit a limited reciprocatory movementv of the tool relative to the stem.

12. The combination with a tubular stem, of a cable type drilling tool at the lower end of the stem, said tool and stem being provided with opposing abutments spaced tot permit a limited reciprocatory movement of the tool relative to the stem, some of said abutments being yieldable to form shock absorbers.

lil() 13. The combination with a tubular stem,

of a cable type drilling tool at the lower end channel leading from within the stem down' '7- through said tool through which fluid may' be forced from within the stem to the bottom of the bore. i

14. The combinatin with a tubular stem, of a cable type drilling tool at the lower end of the stem, said tool-and stem being provvided with opposing abutments spaced to permit a limited reciprocatory movement of the tool relative to the stem, there beingV a fluid channel leading from within the stem ESD down through said tool through which fluid may be forced from within the stem to the bottom of the bore, and means preventing the passage of Yluid downwardly between the stem and tool. u

15. The combination with a tubular drill stem, which includes a tubular shoe at the lower end thereof, of a drilling tool working through said shoe and reciprocable with respect thereto, and packing within said shoe around said tool, means connected to the tool and extending up through the stem and operable from the upper end of the stem through which thetool may be reciprocated, and releasable interlocking means connecting said reciprocating .means to said tool.

16. In well drilling apparatus a tube adapted to be lowered into a Well bore, a drilling tool support reciprocable in the tube, a drilling tool at the lower end of said support and working beneath the lower end of the tube, an annular packing element which fits closely within the tube and surrounds and is mounted on and moves with said support, said support having a fluid channel downl wardly therethrough whose upper end commi? I1 municates with the interior of said tube above said. packing element and through which channel fluid may pass from the interior of the tube into the bore beneath said tube and a exible line through which said tool support may be suspended.

17. In a well drilling apparatus a tube adapted to be lowered into a well bore, a drilling tool support `reciprocable in the tube, a drilling tool attached to said support and working beneath the lower end of the tube, an annular cup shaped packing which fits closely within the tube and surrounds and is mounted on and lmoves with said support, said support having a fluid channel downwardl therethrough whose upper end communicates with the interior of said tube above said cu shaped packing and through which channel) fluid may pass from the interior of the tube into the bore beneath said tube and a flexible line through which said tool support be suspended. 4

testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

REDUS D nonne.

1,81 Loos 

